Abnormal expression of E-cadherin in tumor cells is associated with poor prognosis of gastric carcinoma

Background and Objectives The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), c-Met, and E-cadherin with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis in gastric carcinoma (GC). Methods 114 specimens were collected from GC patients and expression of HGF, c-Met, and E-cadherin in tissue microarray was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Correlation between immunostainings and clinicopathological parameters, follow-up data of patients, was analyzed statistically. Results Abnormal E-cadherin expression was found in 60.5% (69/114) and associated with tumor depth (P?=?0.003), lymph node metastasis (P?=?0.001) and advanced clinical stage (P?=?0.001). High-expression of HGF and c-Met were found in 64.0% (73/114) and 82.4% (94/114), respectively. High c-Met expression was significantly associated with advanced clinical stage (P?=?0.001) and lymph node metastasis (P?=?0.011) of GC. In univariate survival analysis, high-expression of HGF and c-Met, and abnormal E-cadherin were significantly associated with poor prognosis of GC patients. However, only abnormal E-cadherin expression (P?=?0.001) and tumor depth (P?=?0.010) emerged as strong independent prognostic factors for overall survival of GC patients. Conclusion We found significant correlation among HGF/c-Met, E-cadherin expression and worse prognosis of patients with GC. Abnormal E-cadherin expression may serve as an independent predictive factor for prognosis of GC patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:304-310. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.